Classy James Harden Gifted His Shoes to Shooting Survivor, His 'Good Luck Charm'

Michael Natale
·2 min read
boston celtics v philadelphia 76ers game four
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  • James Harden gifted his "good luck charm" his game-worn shoes after Game 4.

  • The fan, John Hao, was the victim of a campus shooting, and met Harden during a FaceTime call in February.

  • Harden scored the winning shot in Game 4, and invited Hao to watch the team again in Game 6.

Normally when an All-Star basketball player like James Harden has to take his eye off the literal ball during their pregame routine because of a fan in the crowd, it's because that fan is causing an unwelcome distraction.

But that's not why James Harden took a break from his warmup ahead of Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals on Sunday. Instead, Harden spotted a fan he calls his "good luck charm" ahead of his Philadelphia 76ers' showdown with the Boston Celtics, and made sure that fan didn't leave empty-handed after the team's incredible overtime win.

The fan Harden spotted was John Hao. As NBC Sports noted, Hao, a Michigan State student, "survived a February 13 mass shooting on campus and is now paralyzed." Harden first met Hao when he FaceTimed him in February while Hao was in the hospital. The call was arranged because Hao was a huge fan of Harden's, and in the months since, it's become clear that the feeling has become mutual.

Sunday's Game 4 went into overtime, with Harden himself scoring the game-winning three-pointer with just 18.2 seconds left on the clock. After the victory, Harden found Hao once again, and hooked the young fan up with his signed game-worn shoes. What's more, Harden extended an invitation to Game 6 in Philadelphia, because Harden feels Hao is his "good luck charm."

"I’ve been keeping in contact with him. For a tragedy like that to happen … there’s a lot of nonsense that’s going on in the world. So for him to be a victim of that, it’s heartbreaking," Harden said of the young man you gives him such inspiration. "But he’s strong, he’s bouncing back, he’s recovering very well. And I feel like it’s my job to just give him that light — that smile that he deserves, that he needs. Hopefully, today was one of those days where he’s smiling. That’s all I’m here for."

So keep an eye out for Hao sitting along the baseline once again on May 11 when the Celtics face the Sixers for Game 6.

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